Make rented house feel like home with no budget

[OuchCharlie]

As the title says I'm looking for ideas to make our rented place feel like home. I don't know why it doesn't, but I don't feel like I can relax at the moment.

We have a toddler so I'm constantly distracting him to stop him pulling out DVDs etc, we also need to think of practicalities.

We have put lots of family photos up, have mirrors in the hall and bedroom, we have pot plants and quite nice curtains. The landlord has said we can paint/wallpaper but we're reluctant to do so as feel it's time/money we'd have to spend again getting it back to neutral when we decide to move on.

Quick rundown to create visual picture; we have folding table, small bookcase, desk, tall revolving dvd rack (which I hate but DH loves), coffee table used as tv cabinet and 2 seater & 3 seater cold leather-like sofas in the living room, and double bed, cot, chest of drawers, 2 bedside tables (that need doing up) and nursing chair (never used but think we might if having more babies) in the bedroom

So I'm looking for tips, however simple to make things feel more cosy and homely - i say no budget but Im sure we could stretch to a fiver here or there!

I have two massive cork boards at right angles to each other in a corner. I use them to pin up nice pictures that the dc have done and other attractive bits and pieces. And photos. It sounds a bit shit but it looks really good. I think it's the size of the boards.

Throws and/or cushions on the sofas. A rug? I realise more than a fiver, sorry, but maybe have a look on freecycle.

Rag rugs? You can make these by pulling scraps of colourful material through a hessian backing cloth. My mum made a lovely parrot one for my brother's room. Home made mobiles for lo's room - I made one with felt dinosaurs suspended from it when DS1 was born. Homemade quilts using fabrics you feel sentimental about - these look lovely draped over doors or on the back or sofas.

Soft fabrics (cushions, throws, rugs) and soft lighting will make an emormous difference.
Ikea has some very cheap throws - ok they are made of fleece not wool but so what. Cheap cushions and rugs too.

Lamps instead of overhead lighting - I would suggest candles, but maybe not if you have a toddler! Paper lamps like this are inexpensive and give a nice glow.

Thanks everyone some good ideas there. Rag-rugs, wow - that takes me back, we used to make them when we were kids. I'm thinking re-covering cushions, arranging books into colour, clearing excess clutter are good starting points. Need a new lampshade for a tall lamp but DS keeps going for it so I'm afraid it might have to go. I'm really into the idea of buying cheap second hand furniture and doing it up but it's hard with a child as I'd have to think of paint fumes etc, maybe in the summer when I can have the windows open.

Keep your ideas coming (if you don't mind) I'm looking for online pictures too for inspiration. DS's room is actually the only one I like! I've painted letters spelling his name for above his bed and used animal stickers on his toybox and wardrobe. I think it's probably about themes and organisation for me.

What colour is it now?
If it is magnolia then that psychologically says "rental"
Could you paint it a more sophisticated neutral that wouldn't have to be painted over?

Have a rummage around a carboot fair for pictures, cushions, rugs, lamps, ornanments etc.

What I'm going to do to fill in some of my bare walls is buy some cheap canvases and get DD to walk across them and do hand prints, but I'm going to use paint that matches the room, so it doesn't scream kids painting - more abstract art at first glance!! Thats the plan anyway

In my 1950's homemakers book oh yes I have one, it says the first and simplest thing to do to make a house a home is to put a daisy in a milk bottle. (I'm thinking it must be more of a gerbra type flower than the daisys in my garden )

Smell is important for me. As long as my favourite incense can be smelt (nag champa) then I feel at home.

Well so far I have arranged my books into colour order which also made room for DS's books not bothered if he pulls all of them onto the floor 5 times a day put a throw over one of the sofas (keeps slipping off but looks good and feels cosy) and I'm looking at ideas for arranging picture frames/keeping things a bit neater. I'm loving these ideas, thank you!

Lighting...lighting...lighting...

get some mood and accent lighting in - a couple of table lamps / floor lamps and some fairy lights draped artistically somewere (i.e. round fireplace if you have one, or in large plant) will make ALL the difference.

When I was at college I had beautiful Indian throws pinned to the ceiling of my room - made the room look amazing -like being in a big tent. This works really well for bedrooms.

Also fairy lights coiled into a large goldfish type bowl look pretty-stunning.